But Arizona educators worry that a lack of support for STEM programs and teachers in K-12 schools will impact the state's ability to provide the quality workforce these companies will require.

Some teachers believe more resources in the classroom can help the state attract more companies, and provide a better-prepared workforce. Teachers across the state are advocating for more funding, including STEM teachers.

It can be hard for schools to attract and retain STEM teachers due to low salaries, lower than average state education funding and a lack of collaboration among school STEM programs, advocates say.

"Why do we think if teachers are not flourishing, their students will flourish?" said Talia Milgrom-Elcott, the executive director for 100Kin10. The non-profit works to connect organizations to solve challenges facing STEM educators. "It's just not realistic."

Creating a STEM 'pipeline'

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Shelly Murphy, Exeter Education spokeswoman, talks about the Woz Accelerator, a school that will be based in Arizona that aims to develop the talent of "the best of the best."

The day before thousands of teachers staged walk-ins across the state, educators and STEM industry leaders gathered for the 100Kin10 Summit at the Arizona Science Center to speak on the challenges facing STEM educators.

100Kin10 believes there are multiple reasons why there is a STEM teacher shortage across the country.

According to the Education Commission of the States, Arizona has some of the lowest percentages nationwide for student access to teachers who majored in science and math, for giving math teachers resources and for the amount of time science is taught in elementary schools.

For example, it was determined that only 38 percent of 4th-grade students in Arizona received 2-2.9 hours of science instruction a week in 2015. The agency discovered 3 percent of students received less than one hour a week.

In 2017, 20 percent of 8th-grade students in Arizona were taught by teachers who had an undergraduate degree in math, compared with the national average of 31 percent.

The Arizona Science Teachers Association has 1,000 registered members across the state, but Executive Director Sara Torres said that reflects only a portion of the teachers represented.

Summit participant Linda Coyle said if the state wants to continue to grow in the STEM industry, it must start the employee "pipeline" in the classroom. The state should look at the needs of employers, many of whom are also parents, she said.

"What can we do as Arizona for economic growth to offer a pipeline?" said Coyle, who is the director of education for the Science Foundation Arizona.

The former teacher believes improving the experience of STEM teachers will help schools become better, which can impress parents and improve the likelihood that they will want to move their company to Arizona or keep it in the state.

"It's more about looking at the bigger picture and not being shortsighted," Coyle said.

Low salaries

Paradise Valley High School teacher Marni Landry believes more can be done to attract STEM professionals to the teaching field.(Photo: Courtesy of: Marni Landry)

Low salaries make a big impact on the STEM teacher shortage across the state, according to Paradise Valley High School teacher Marni Landry.

“It is a significant issue, not just for educators in Arizona but also across the U.S.,” Landry said. “How can you attract people who are highly qualified in science, engineering and math to the classroom, when it’s not even a financially reliable career to enter?”

According to 100Kin10, the starting salaries across the country for STEM teachers are not competitive with starting salaries in other STEM careers, and Arizona ranks among the bottom nationwide in teacher pay.

"There is no equality without economic equality," said Milgrom-Elcott. "We cannot ask teachers to prepare students to innovate if they themselves cannot innovate and experiment in the classroom. We also cannot ask teachers to be the engine of equality if they don't have an answer for their own economic situation."

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Marthana Hall, a math teacher at San Tan Charter School in Gilbert, leads chants during the state-wide teacher walk-in on April 11, 2018, in support of more educational funding. Tom Tingle/The Republic

Marthana Hall, a math teacher at San Tan Charter School in Gilbert, leads chants during the state-wide teacher walk-in on April 11, 2018, in support of more educational funding. Tom Tingle/The Republic

Cienega High School teachers, staff and students gather at the flagpole in unison to protest low pay and funding at the school, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, on April 11, 2018, in Tucson. Cienega participated with the state-wide walk-in protests before classes began. Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star

Melanie Yarger, of Mesa and a a parent of a second-grader at San Tan Charter School in Gilbert, expresses her support for increased school funding during the state-wide teacher walk-in on April 11, 2018. Tom Tingle/The Republic

Teachers, staff and students at Cienega High School gather at the flagpole in unison to protest low pay and funding at the school, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, on April 11, 2018, in Tucson. Cienega participated with the state-wide walk-in protests before classes began. Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star

Teachers walk arm-in-arm with students and parents into Tuscano Elementary School as they stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Stefanie Lowe, right, wipes away a tear as she talks with fellow teacher Nanette Swanson, as they join teachers, parents and students at Tuscano Elementary School to stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Shaun Stevenson, right, talks to other teachers, parents and students at Tuscano Elementary School as they stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

A teacher at Tuscano Elementary School joins dozens of teachers, parents and students as they stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Nanette Swanson pauses as she listens to another teacher at Tuscano Elementary School talk about the hardships of low pay as teachers, parents and students stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Teachers at Tuscano Elementary School stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Teachers at Tuscano Elementary School stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding as they walk into school on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Teachers at Tuscano Elementary School stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding as they arrive at the front entrance of the school on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Nanette Swanson, a teacher at Tuscano Elementary School, begins to cry as she joins other teachers, parents and students as they stage a "walk-in" for higher pay and school funding on April 11, 2018, in Phoenix. Teachers gathered outside Arizona schools to show solidarity in their demand for higher salaries staging "walk-ins" at approximately 1,000 schools that are part of a statewide campaign for a 20 percent raise and more than $1 billion in new education funding. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Arizona does have a Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.

The program gives college juniors and seniors who are Arizona residents up to $7,000 per school year for up to three years if they agree to teach math, science or special education in an Arizona public district or charter school. The program typically allocates all of its available money each year.

In 2017, the Education on Commission of the States reported 24 percent of Arizona 8th-grade students had math teachers who saw the lack of resources and materials as a problem, compared to the national average of 19 percent.

Torres said funding is always needed, especially at the elementary level. Students at a young age are intrigued by the sciences and want to learn, Landry said.

According to 100Kin10, many schools do not have resources for STEM due to it not being traditionally seen as a critical need for an elementary student's education.

What can schools do now?

Schools could immediately improve teacher retention by allowing more collaboration among STEM teachers, according to Milgrom-Elcott.

"There is an extra leverage on teacher experience in the classroom," said Milgrom-Elcott. 100Kin10 believes collaboration can help with a teacher's experience by providing support and offering creative ideas.

However, in some parts of the state, collaboration isn't possible. According to Gilbert, some rural school districts may have very few STEM teachers.